Milan, reconsidered

We wake up to a beautiful day in northern Italy. We have only a few morning hours in Milan, but, despite my reservations about the city, I want to use them well.

I calculate that if we take the tram to the Duomo (the magnificent cathedral, with most certainly, Milan’s best pubic space in front of it), we can pause there for a little while and then walk over to catch the public city bus to Linate – Milan’s smaller airport. (Only DC offers as good a bargain in getting you from downtown to the airport efficiently and cheaply.)

Ed gallantly pulls my little suitcase, we hoist our packs and set off.

Our b&b is by the old canal of Milan – an area worth a stroll at another time.





Not today though. We are still at the tail end of Easter week-end. Not only is the cathedral a destination in its own right, there’ll be people watching opportunities on the square.

Indeed.





We walk toward La Scala...





...and through the quieter streets in back. We come across a gelateria and I cannot resist a cone of what they call seasonal flavors: strawberry and pistachio. Neither strike me as particularly April, but the ice cream is delicious with the strong colors of the warmer seasons.






And now it’s time to head out.

My next post will be tomorrow, from Madison. Even though between Milan and Madison, there’ll be the handful of connecting hours in Paris. I’ll take a handful. There’s something about April in Paris...


P.S. The unexpected twist: what would you do if you lost your purse on-board a flight to Paris?  Freak out? Stay calm and purchase wine?

I'll give an update tomorrow. From Madison. After work. It's as it has to be.